Corporate Media’s Handling of Russia and Trump Allegations
Jonathan Turley, a professor of law at George Washington University, remarked on Wednesday that mainstream media will likely downplay or ignore the suggestion of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s role in crafting narratives about President Donald Trump. This narrative has been framed as a conspiracy involving Russia that aimed to undermine former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, during and after the 2016 election. Turley criticized the media’s portrayal of these allegations, calling it a “pile of dogs” that overshadowed Trump’s first term.
National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard recently released documents outlining what she described as a “long-standing coup” against Trump, stemming from his victory over Clinton in 2016. She mentioned submitting these documents to the Justice Department for potential criminal inquiries. Turley noted that the media’s coverage of these allegations has significantly impacted Trump’s presidency.
“I think Tulsi articulated this well,” Turley said during an episode of “American Report,” where he co-hosts with John Roberts. He emphasized that various elements within media and Congress were involved in what he described as a real scandal. He pointed out that the Russian narrative was effectively used to tarnish Trump’s early years in office.
He continued, “Their concerted efforts to dismiss Gabbard’s findings reflect a larger disinterest in evidence that contradicts the prevailing narrative. This isn’t just about high-ranking officials; it involves many others.”
Documents show that information suggesting Russian interference in the 2016 election was leaked to the Washington Post shortly after the election concluded. In December 2022, Trump filed a lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize board regarding awards given to the Washington Post and the New York Times for their coverage of these allegations.
Reports by CNN, MSNBC, and other mainstream outlets often cited documents from former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele to support unverified claims of Russian influence in Clinton’s loss. Moreover, the Clinton campaign, along with the Democratic National Committee, faced fines from the Federal Election Commission in 2022 concerning these matters.
“Out of respect for the presidency, we typically don’t dignify the constant flow of misinformation from this administration. However, these claims are severe enough to warrant a response; they are absurd distractions,” a senior intelligence official stated.
Disputes also arose among senior intelligence officials, notably with former CIA Director John Brennan, regarding claims of Russian interference in the electoral process, particularly emphasizing Trump’s alleged involvement in undermining Clinton’s campaign.
